The contribution of platform-based food sharing start-ups to food waste reduction in developed countries

Abstract

This thesis aims to assess how platform-based food sharing start-ups tackle the problem of foodwaste in regard of the three dimensions of sustainability: economic, environmental and social.Drawing on a comparative case-study design, I analyzed three platform-based food sharingstart-ups. To assess the sustainability of the platform-based start-ups, I examined the maccording to the triple layered business model (TLBMC). My empirical findings show that allthree platform-based start-ups provide climate change mitigating benefits by reducing CO2emissions in the environmental layer of the TLBMC. The value propositions of the economicand social layer differ, depending on which food sharing model the start-ups adopt. Platformbased start-ups that apply the “sharing for money” model benefit food businesses who use theplatform for for-profit reasons. Alternatively, they embrace the “sharing for community” model and comfort the end consumer. This thesis contributes to the literature on food sharing models as it enriches the understanding on how food sharing models tackle the problem of food wastetaking into account the three dimensions of sustainability. In addition, this study contributes to sustainable business model research by examining how innovative, platform-based business models practice sustainability across the three layers of the TLBMC.

Date of Award	6 May 2022
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Laure Leglise (Supervisor)